Home again Home Again to May Showers and flowers.. Pt. 1

It's been a very busy week indeed. I have an immense capacity to keep busy. Now, mind you, that doesn't mean I have to accomplish a lot, but I do keep busy. May has been busier than usual. For one thing I had tickets to three concerts in a weeks time, while working, watching my granddaughter and trying to at least keep some clean dishes and clothes on hand. I haven't juggled them all terribly well, but I've survived.

On May 10, I had the day off work to see Paramore, Relient K & Fun at the E-Center. The plan was to head down really early as my ticket was for general admission on the floor. I also had a photo pass. It's always a huge challenge to try and make the photo pass and floor spot jive at the same time. Photo passes are normally geared towards people who are with the media and on the guest list. In other words, they don't have a paid ticket. Consequently, it's not top priority and getting the guest/photo list before the doors open is always a bit stressful for me. I'm sure by the time it arrives, the venue considers me a major pest. Still, I had hoped to get to shoot my three songs behind the barricade, and return to my already secured spot on the floor. For that, it requires the timing to work out and those around me to know me well enough by the time the doors open to accomodate me (that part is easy as it's normal for me anyway. I enjoy that part of the process.) :)

I didn't arrive quite as early as planned, but I did manage to make it to the venue by 9 a.m. IT was raining out and I didn't see anyone around, so I just waited in the car for a bit. Then I saw someone get in line, so I took my place behind them. As it turned out it was a couple from Southern California that had come to the No Doubt, Paramore, Sounds concert earlier in the year. It was funny that this couple was first in line and I was second in line. Last time it was the other way around. It was nice to see familiar faces. It was a little while before any one else showed up, but by 11 there was somewhat of a line started. At one point this guy started asking me a lot of questions about tickets and the bands. He was bragging about his connections and then mentioned they might be releasing front row seats: about 40 of them. I mentioned that the front row was not on the floor since the floor was general admission. I'm not sure he was getting it at first. Then he said there might be a few of those as well. He hung around by the ticket office with a gal I figured was probably his wife for a while before leaving. It was an odd conversation.

I met some really great people waiting for the show, and had a pretty good time. Lauralee came later in the day and the funniest thing was that the gal behind me in line was waiting for her as well. She said she was waiting for a friend and somehow we ended up figuring out we were both waiting for the same person. LOL At one point during the day, I was able to leave and use the restroom at Cracker Barrel, so I bought a salad to take back with me. While I was waiting for my order, I noticed some Scripture Tea that was decaf, so I bought a box of teabags. (I have yet to try them out.) I forgot to get a fork and as it turned out I remembered having a box of utensils in my car and grabbed a fork. No one could believe that I had a fork in my car. LOL

It was a long wait, but not an unpleasant one. We chatted, listened to sound check from outside the venue, went on food runs and killed time as best as we could. A few times we saw guys on bikes and speculated on who they were. The first time it was likely Paramore guys. Later in the day, we again saw bikers out and figured it was either Paramore or possibly RK as I thought I saw Braxton hats on some of the riders. LOL Lauralee and I went over to Costa Vida to use the restrooms and get some food. I had to make two trips, though, as the first time I left my purse in the car. For some reason the folks at Costa Vida preferred to be paid. Who knew? So, Diana and Tuyen walked over with me and I made myself a somewhat low-fat salad that turned out rather well. I may try it again sometime soon. Tuyen and Diana bought a dessert. Then we went back across the street to the venue.

Finally it was getting close to door times, so I just stressed about the whole photo thing. Fortunately, the list arrived before door times and I had the biggest smile (to cite a Paramore song?) I was finally able to relax.

Once the doors opened I made my way to the stage and landed at the barricade to the left (in front of Jon Schneck - or where Jon would be once Relient K hit the stage.)
Everyone around me promised to do the best they could to hold my space while I took photos, and they were all true to their promise.

The venue staff was very helpful, and I really did appreciate it. One of the security guys let me keep my camera gear next to a speaker on the floor when not using it, although he wasn't too sure at first. I did tell him that I understood he couldn't be responsible and once he saw things were okay, he let it stay there. The venue also had a gal assigned to photographers and media and she introduced herself and explained everything. That so rarely happens at shows I've been to, so it was a blessing.

Fun finally hit the stage and I was behind the barricade. I didn't see any other photographers. I tried my best to get a few decent shots of Fun, but Nate (lead singer) not only moves a lot, he spent a lot of time on a speaker in front that had hardly any lighting. I did get a few decent pictures, although not as sharp as I prefer, and a couple of really good shots of Jack. Too soon, the first three songs had passed, and I headed back for the floor. I had a momentary panic when asked about my ticket until I realized I had a wristband. Phew!!! I think the actual ticket was in the camera bag. LOL




Fun's set went by way too fast, and as usual, they lived up to their name. My favorite song of theirs is called "All the Pretty Girls" and of course, they played it. Nate, did his very best to get the crowd going and ready for the bands that followed, and he succeeded quite well. He was fun, funny, energetic, and the guy can sing. The rest of the band was "fun" as well.

Relient K was up next, and I waited for a few minutes into the stage setup and headed out to take my place behind the barricade again. I was very nervous and excited. There was one other photographer, who introduced himself. I don't think I saw him until Relient K's set. My memory is fuzzy on that one. He was really nice. We talked about our camera's a bit. Relient K took the stage and started to play and I started taking photos. I got some really good captures, although I was having a difficult time getting a sharp pic on any of them. The lighting on Thiessen was a bit odd, Schneck was mostly in the dark and I just struggled through it and hoped something turned out. After the first three songs ended, I made my way through the gauntlet back to my "spot". Some guy tried to stop me (I thought he was with the venue at first but afterward figured out he probably wasn't as he made some comment about his daughter.) I just said I was told I could go back up there if I "could" and mentioned this and everyone let me back in. I tried not to be too intrusive about it, and hope I was somewhat successful.



I really, really enjoyed the rest of Relient K's set. They played a lot of favorites and mostly their "harder" songs, so it was very fast paced. I loved hearing Sahara live, and Candlelight. :) And of course, my usual complaint applied -- it just seemed too short, of course! MOst of the people around me enjoyed their set as well.

After Relient K's set, one could definitely sense the anticipation of Paramore fans growing. I wondered if I should just stay put or take my chances behind the barricade. I decided to take my chances. As it turns out, I was able to get the best shots of the night during Paramore's set. This time around there were 4 photographers behind the barricade, and I chatted with them all. One of the guys worked for the Salt Lake Tribune, and I knew one of his co-workers. Then there was another gal, Erica (sp) there who knew who I was. She was nice, easygoing person and I enjoyed meeting her and talking. :)

Finally, the show started and the crowd and the crowd erupted into screams and applause that had to have been heard outside the venue walls. There was an intro and Hayley pretty much hit the stage running and stopped very little through the concert. She seemed to be having a lot of fun and she was taking us along for the ride. I finished out my three songs from behind the barricade, and headed back to the other side for the last time. I took my time as I didn't want to interrupt anyone enjoying Paramore, but someone would notice me waiting and wave me back on through. I thought that was pretty awesome.





Paramore played a pretty long set, and then left the stage once again to raucous applause. There was a gal who was shorter than I am (a rarity) standing just behind me with a piercing scream. I thought for sure I'd be deaf when I left the building. She was having fun though and I can't fault her. I just plugged my ears.
After what always seems a long wait, Hayley and company came back to the stage. For Misery Business, she had one of the fan club gals come up on stage and sing with her. I remembered her from the line outside. In fact, she did a fantastic job of it and seemed to be having a great time! I was pretty excited for her. I managed to get a few photos with my point and shoot. Fortunately the lighting was decent.



Then the show ended for real. I had hoped to snag a set list, but Taylor pulled it up and handed it directly to one of the gals next to me. Earlier in the show he walked all across the stage and handed her a guitar pic. I'm sure she left on cloud 9. She was kind enough to let me take a photo of the list. I can't say I wasn't disappointed, but I really thought she and her friends were super nice, so I was very happy for her!!

I slowly made my way back towards the merch tables and I started receiving text messages about the show. Then I received a message telling me that some of the RK guys were at the merch table. I managed to finally make my way over and John Warne and Ethan Luck were there. I talked to John a long while about all sorts of things, but when I was talking about my plans to see them in Vegas, hotels came up, and I mentioned that I read reviews and stay away if anyone mentions bugs. So we ended up discussing bedbugs and roaches. LOL I did talk to Ethan a little and had photos taken with them both. I was able to get Tuyen in a pic with John, and we tried to get Diana in the photo. Usually she declines, but John actually talked her into it (or was it Ethan, I was pretty tired by then.) It was pretty cool.




Then we all left and I began the long drive home. I had plans the next day as well to see Needtobreathe, Seabird and Stephen Kellog and the Sixers. I had a Fan Club VIP package, so I was pretty excited.

(Stay tuned for Part 2)

It Was a Beautiful Day

Today my granddaughter Avalyn arrived in a really adorable outfit that just screamed of springtime. I have been wanting to take a few pics of her outside, but I didn't want to attempt it without Grandpa or her mom there so she didn't fall while I was behind the camera. Fortunately, grandpa came home an hour early, so we had a little time. The weather was absolutely perfect.





Tonight when I left work, it was raining out. There is really nothing else like the smell in the air when it has been raining. It wasn't too cold out, just wet, and frankly, it just felt very good. By the time I arrived at the house, there were big raindrops falling. I hadn't heard any thunder yet, but there was lightning. There were no great streaks to be seen across the sky, more like a giant cosmic camera with an enormous flash. It wasn't until I'd been in the house about an hour that I finally heard the roar of thunder. IT's still wet out, but it's 5 a.m. I am thinking the birds approve as they are singing.

I'd better get some sleep while I still can.

Peace out,
Melanie

Spring has Sprung

When I was in school, I can recall lessons about the importance of choosing a good title. It all sounds well and good, but coming up with an interesting title seems impossible sometimes. Spring has sprung might not be clever enough, but I figured that spring was a much loved topic after the crazy winter times we've had and might spark some interest. ;) It's really been nice out most of of the week, and it is a welcome change. Bring on the warmer weather!

This weekend I was able to get out and photograph a few of the sights in my front yard. There is evidence both of death, as in the old withered rose hips, and new life in the flowers, flower buds, newly formed and forming leaves and green grass.
Dandilions are practically everywhere. I was able to capture a few decent shots. The part that made it difficult was the breeze which blew the flowers about, but one has to make the best of things. I imagined what it might be like with no breeze at all to keep a good attitude.

At any rate, here are a few of the resulting photos:







Sunday, I went to church and was pleasantly surprised to see Dennis and Sandy Zech. They have a ministry that uses magic tricks laced with humor to illustrate Biblical points, and it's always a lot of fun. I didn't really know about it ahead of time, so no photos to show for it. That's probably a good thing, though. LOL I did pick up a few magic tricks (e.g. turning a penny into a dime) for my husband. By the time Avalyn and Jocelin are old enough to appreciate it, he should be a master at it!

I have been keeping pretty busy between watching Avalyn, and work lately. Things are starting to get really busy. I had hoped to check my leave schedule today, and then
see if I could work something out so that I could see This Providence on the 28th. Before I could even ask, we were being offered credit leave with restrictions, namely that it cannot be used until after the program completion date which is probably sometime near the end of May. This means they are a little behind, and that no one will be too thrilled to grant me any unscheduled leave. Unfortunately the tour was announced a little to late for me to put in for the show ahead of time.
I have really missed This Providence, and I so want to see the guys again, but I'm not seeing how at this point. Hopefully it won't be such a long time between tours and I can see them in the fall? I just keep telling myself that there is a reason for everything.

On the bright side, I do have a ticket to see The Spill Canvas on Saturday.
It's been a while, and I am definitely looking forward to it.

On the 27th, Fireflight will be here, and I have the same issue as with the This Providence show. The difference is that I usually do work for the promoter, so I will most likely be working for the concert before the show and leaving to head for work before the show even starts.

It's so hard to believe that April is more than half over, and that it will soon be May. This year is most certainly flying by rather quickly. Have the days gotten shorter, or am I just old? Wait -- that is a rhetorical question!! LOL

Peace out,
Melanie

Promises, promises...

Falling behind is something I do well. I really haven't fallen off the face of the earth, but I have been busy, and a little overwhelmed with the mundane tasks of living. In the midst of goofing off (aka facebook), watching my granddaughter, going to shows, working full time and trying to get my house babyproofed, I keep hoping there will be time in there somewhere for a good night's sleep.

The last couple of days had me rather preoccupied with filing taxes. Hopefully that is done and I will soon get good news that my tax forms have been accepted. Then, and only then, will I breathe a huge sigh of relief. It will probably be heard for miles.

Apart from working and filing taxes, I have been to a few outstanding concerts: Sherwood with Seabird and John Allred (what an awesome show, which definitely deserves it's own blog) and We Shot the Moon.

I am another year older and officially eligible for the senior menu at many fine establishments.


My granddaughter is quickly becoming the world's most photographed baby.





And, a few of my garden flowers are trying to bloom, if the snow will just stay away long enough.





Stay tuned...

Catching Up is Hard to Do

The most difficult thing about procrastination is that it eventually does catch up to you. The things you put off just don't get done until you stop procrastinating. Unfortunately, I am highly skilled at very few things and I have turned delaying the inevitable into an art form.

So, I figured it was probably about time to stop dilly dallying around with this blog and play catch up on the last few concerts I've attended. Seriously, it's been so long since I posted about a show, that I will have to go back an see where I left off! LOL So, it looks as if I left off back on December 8 with Winter Wonder Slam. Wow, I am definitely behind!!!

I had tickets to see Dashboard Confessional with New Found Glory (actually, I think it was the other way around)in early November and the show ended up being cancelled. I used the refunded ticket money for Winter Wonder Slam. So, when they rebooked an acoustic show for December I was a tad disappointed about not being about to go since I really couldn't justify the expense and I was pretty much out of stamina anyway. Fast forward to January when I get a message from Lauralee telling me that Dashboard is doing a free show in Ogden! I planned to go. When the 15th came around, I was not feeling all that wonderful, so I spent the better part of the day debating about whether or not I should make the short trek to Ogden. I finally talked myself into going. I left later than I thought I should have, which turned out to be plenty early enough, and headed out to Ogden around 3:15 or so. I found the place without too much trouble. They were setting up when I arrived, so I talked to guys opening the show, and hung around and just watched. I took pics of some of the Christmassy things that were still up in the area, and some of the sights of the street.




I didn't bring my pro camera because I wasn't sure it would be allowed, and it was so bitter cold I just didn't want to leave it in the car for hours. I probably could have brought it as the gal standing behind me had hers and no one seemed to care. But I'm kind of glad I didn't have to carry it around, as I usually bring all the gear along with it. LOL When sound check came around, I was there watching, and was going to try and get a drummer shot, since they are so hard to do in the dark during a show with a point and shoot. I was told it wasn't time for pics yet, so I put it away. But I did get this one shot before I was asked:

Then I was asked to stand back by the sound booth so I didn't make them nervous. LOL So I watched sound check and tried not to freeze to death. Did I mention that it was bitter cold?! And I forgot my hand warmers. :(

From a few people stopping and looking here and there, the crowd had grown quite large. I managed to stick up for a few people who had to move their cars and successfully save their spots. While we were waiting I was able to have some great conversations with people. I rather hoped I'd hear from them again sometime. After what seemed to be an eternally long wait, it was finally time for the show to start.


About halfway through the opening act, the crowd to was urged to get closer, and that's when the pushing just got totally insane. The barricade was shorter than normal, and hit me mid chest, so breathing wasn't the easiest thing to do. It went on like that most of the night. I really did enjoy Dashboard's set, and the local opener was fun, but it was not at all comfortable. The highlight for me was hearing Dashboard play Stolen as I just love that song. Oh, and getting the setlist made my night!!



When the concert was over, I had the option of heading to a bar to an afterparty, but since I was freezing, very sore and tired, fairly broke, and not really all that comfortable in bars anyway, I decided to head for home. I might have gone had I known someone and felt a little better. I hope it was a good time for all.

I think the Dashboard concert was preparation for the Brand New concert on Jan. 29.

But that is for another blog. Next... Collective Soul, John Allred, John from The Staples, and The Ivy League. One down, three to go. :) Good times!

Tis the Season

for weird dreams?

I had another strange dream. I do not plan to turn this blog into Melanie's dream blog, but since I don't often remember them, I thought I'd make a note.

Last night or more like late this morning, I remembered having a weird dream and that it involved Sherwood. Once the I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, I began to recall some of the details.

I was at a venue to see Sherwood. Vedera was there. I don't remember them performing, but Kristen was at the back at a merch table. The venue was a lot like "In the Venue" only it was different. It seemed bigger and smaller at the same time. I think because there was only one level instead of two. I recall Sherwood performing and me being front and center at the barricade. It was crowded but not pushy (this is a dream after all.) The stage went across the whole venue, and Nate goes to the far end and I can barely see him and he gets off the stage and sings at the far end to the crowd on the floor. I know the song, but I don't really hear any music - I just know it's playing. Nate gets back on the stage, and I decide to go to the far side of the stage and decide to watch from there. Even I don't know why I am leaving and walking to the side of the stage. Then I am at the merch table. I'm talking to the guys at the merch table, I think, but I can't recall seeing who I'm actually talking to or remember much of the conversation. At one point they are talking about songs they want to do at shows, and they mention a number of them and sing little bits. On at least one song, they get rather silly with it (singing it bad on purpose, etc.) I keep telling them I want to hear Alive, but they don't sing it. Then I remember wanting to talk to Kristen at Vedera's table, but they have packed up and left already. Then the dream switches to outdoors. I see Nate outside, and there is a flatbed trailer with a mattress on it. He tells me that he found the mattress, and it wasn't that great to sleep on. I see that it looks somewhat unevenly worn and tell him it doesn't look too comfortable. Then I am walking down the street. I am in San Franciso, but it really doesn't look like San Francisco. It just looks like a generic city. I am supposed to meet someone. A guy comes up behind me and tells me that his friend would like to borrow my comforter. I tell him that I would, but I am from out of town and there would be no way to exchange it. He says okay and walks on. It's only then that I even notice that I have something like a comforter (more like a small fuzzy dark colored blanket) around me. I keep walking across the street at an intersection. I recall thinking I should use my cell phone to call someone, but I don't think I ever make the call. I walk into a cafe of some sort and vaguely recall something about ordering in bulk. I see a bulk order of whole bananas on the side. At that point, I decide I've had enough and wake up.

The last part of the dream is still rather sketchy and missing lots of detail that I know was in the dream when I was experiencing it. I am not good at remembering dreams, and when I do it is usually just before I wake anyway. It is also quite unusual for me to dream about bands or artists, and more often than not when I do have a dream about a band it is usually in relationship to some concern I have (like getting to the show on time.)

This time around, I think I'll blame it on Sudafed. LOL It does really weird things to my brain. Of course, it wore off long before the dream, but it does interfere with my sleep sometimes. OH, and now I'm hungry, which pretty much explains the cafe. LOL

Soon, I promise, I will post some details (the ones I can remember) about my last few concert ventures. I've just been procrastinating. There are a few things I do well. Procrastination is one of them.

Concepts

Sometimes I write poetry. It goes in spurts. It can take a real concerted effort to finish writing something, and I'm probably not the best at finishing things up.
But I am determined to try and at least write down "concepts" as they come to me so I have something to work with when I feel like really writing.

Anyway, this is something I jotted down at the "concept" level. It's probably how I feel far too often, so I'm pretty sure I am not alone on it. Or maybe I am...

Drowning in this world
Starving for God
Dieting when I should be feasting
Sinking when I should be reaching
For the life preserver I've been tossed
I keep trying to swim on my own
I am overwhelmed
The ocean's too big for me
But not for God

Dreaming the "Bearable"

Photo courtesy of: http://www.Copyright-free-photos.org.uk

I woke up at 8 something or other still pretty groggy and not at all rested. My alarm was set for 9:17 a.m., so I still had another hour to sleep, so I took advantage.

I don't normally remember dreams, although when I'm not sound out crazy dreams are the norm. I blame this on Robert. ;) He daily posts of his vivid dreams.

I'm not clear on why I was in the park, but my husband is studying bears. He has some sort of conflict with his employer over something he's doing and gets fired. He still keeps studying bears. Someone puts out an announcement to look for this guy who is studying bears and using a fishing net. I never do see the net or figure out what that is about. Occasionally I get a glimpse of someone (never actually see a face) working on some sort of test.
I can relate it to being my husband, but he really doesn't look like him at least not from a distance. Occasionally, I see a bear and people reacting to a bear. The bear seems to look mean, but I don't see a lot of facial details again.

Then I see my husband in the parking lot and the guys looking for him are being distracted by an angry bear. So I tell him to get in the car and we have a conversation about it. I tell him that if he keeps studying bears he should alternate cars becaue they'll get suspicious if the see the same car there all of the time. I tell him I plan to get a hotel room so I can change clothes before I go to school.

We leave, and I don't know what happens to my husband after that as he's not in the dream anymore. I stop by my old Jr. High School as I know there is a hotel there. I figure out where the office is and talk to the girl at the desk. She tells me it's $129 a night which I think is kind of high, but go along. My daughter is with me (she doesn't look like my daughter, but I never see any detail to what she really looks like.) It takes a while, and she argues with the person getting the room ready over some sort of cup. Then we go upstairs to our room no. 133. The room is very small, The mattress takes up a good portion of the room, it's mostly clean, but there is a bathtub at the wall, but no toilet. At first I just feel ripped off, but get mad that I can't go to the bathroom. I finally go downstairs and tell them off. I tell them I got the room to change clothes and go poop and there is no toilet and how overpriced they are.

They seem surprised. There is a guy laying on a bed like he is injured and in the hospital when they walk up to look with me. Finally they offer to credit me. The receipt has all kinds of nonsensical notations on it.

As I am starting to leave the first gal at the desk talks to me and asks me about something and wants to know if I am unhappy with her. She says that she got fired. We talk and she is an old friend, Becky. She wants to get her GED. I say, "You haven't done that yet girl"

We finish our conversation and I drift in and out of consciousness as the alarm goes off.

Pretty strange dream.

When I recall a dream, it is not unusual for someone to look totally different, so I know who they are, but really never remember any facial details or recognize any facial details that look like the person I'm dreaming about. I wonder if that's normal? Sometimes I have delusions that I am normal, whatever that means. I'm probably not.